Brake equalizer



June 15,, 1948 M. D. STEWART BRAKE EQUALIZER Filed June 4, 1945 tional view of a tractor Patented June 15, 1948 Milford D. Stewart. Charles City, Iowa, assignor to The Oliver Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application June 4, 1945, Serial No. 597,528

scuims. (Cl. 74-480) The present invention relates generally to braking mechanism for tractors and the like. but more particularly to a simple equalizing means operatively connected to the right and left hand braking foot pedals or levers for the separate traction wheels so that braking action may be either separately applied to each of the-wheels or simultaneously and equall applied to both of the wheels.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and improved construction in the form of a single equalizing member positioned between the brake pedals or levers of the individual traction wheels so that by applyingpressure to an intermediate portion of the equalizing member, the same is actuated to equalize and simultaneously apply braking action on both wheels.

These and other objects are accomplished by providing a construct-ion and an arrangement of the various parts in-the mannerhereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sectional'side elevahaving my invention embodied therein;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view partly in cross section showing the right foot lever for braking the right traction wheel;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary rear elevational view taken on the line 3-3 in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a reduced cross sectional view taken on the line 4--4 in Fig. 3.

Conventional tractors used for cultivating and similar operations on the farm are provided with separate braking mechanisms for each of the rear traction wheels so that they may be independently applied in order to assist in steering at the end of the field. When the top travel speed of these tractors which were usually mounted on steel wheels did not exceed six miles an hour. either one of the steering brakes could be used as a service brake to stop the tractor or hold the tractor in stationary position. However, with the advent of rubber tires and higher travel speeds, it became dangerous to use one of the steering brakes for a service brake. Experience has shown that severe application of one of the steering brakes of the tractor while the tractor is moving at these higher speeds will cause the front wheels to slide sideways and render the tractor out of control of the operator.

The present invention overcomes this difllculty by the simple expedient of a single member pivotally and operatlvely connected between the two foot pedals or levers of the respective braking mechanisms of the rear traction wheels so that upon the application of pressure on the equalizing.

member, the two foot levers 0f the individual braking mechanisms are simultaneously depressed with an equalized pressure to effectively brake the two rear wheels.

The present equalizing braking mechanism may be used in connection with brake drums directly attached to the rear traction wheels or rear axle sections or may be used in connection with brake drums attached to the final drive pinions. In

this connection I have shown one illustration of the application of my invention in Fig. 1 of the drawings in which a. fragmentary portion of the main frame of the tractor, is generally indicated by the reference character Ill. Secured to the main frame l0 and extending in opposite directions therefrom are axle housings H. Journaled in the main frame and xle housings II are the usual rear axle sections l2, only one of which is shown in the drawings. Secured to the outer ends of each of the rear axle sections are right and left rear traction wheels I 3, only one of which is shown in the drawings. The braking mechanism of the present invention includes individual right and left hand foot pedals or levers indicated respectively by the reference characters I4 and II. Each of these levers is secured to the serrated ends of the respective brake cam shafts It by means of clamp bolts i1; Each of the foot levers or pedals is offset forwardly and has an arcuately and upwardly projecting portion, as shown at l8, which protrudes through an opening on each P side of an'overhanging foot board I! supported on the tractor frame It. Each individual cam shaft is provided with the usual cam, which in turn is adapted to actuate its respective brake band for braking the final drive pinion. Each of these pinions, in turn, meshes with and operatively drives the bull gears secured to the individual rear axle sections in a manner well understood in the art. This braking mechanism is of the more or less conventionaltype and is mounted within the housing generally indicated by the reference character 20. As an illustration of the braking mechanism to which my novel equalizing means may be attached, reference to the patent to 0. R. Schoenrock, No. 1,956,253, dated April 24. 1934, on Tractor construction may be had. The upper or free ends of the brake leverslland l5 are provided with inwardly projecting foot pads 2| and 22 respectively for forming a support for the foot of the operator. Pivotally attached to the left hand foot lever i5 amps:

This bifurcated portion is The other end of the equalizing member 23 has a rounded or spherical-like end 21 which is adapted to slidably and oscillatably move in a horizontal aperture 18 formed in a sleeve 29. The sleeve 28 is formed integrally with the lever ll at a point rearwardly oi the toot pad 2!. The aperture or bore 2! or the sleeve 28 tapers or flares outwardly as shown at 10 so as to allow for the free movement oi the equalizing member I! whenever either foot lever H or ll are separately depressed. Located in the approximate center of the equalizing member 22 is a The foot pad 3i has an arcuate or curved surface as shown in Fig. 4 the drawings to permit the equalizing member 2! to rock on the operator's foot. Each of the foot levers I4 and II is provided with a series of teeth 32 located along the rear arcuate edge or curved portion it of each of the levers. Pivoted to each side 0! the tractor frame ill as shown at a are hand operated looks or levers 34 which extend upward- 1y adjacent each or the levers l4 and I! as clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Each of these locking levers 24 has an offset portion as shown at l! which lies in the path of and is adapted to engage an angularly flat portion as shown at 38 of each of the levers for forming a stop for the upward movement of the respective levers. This oflset portion ll is also adapted to engage the teeth 32 on the foot pedal for looking the braking mechanism or the tractor when in stopped position. With this arrangement, obviously the lock may be placed on both traction wheels by depressing the individual levers and actuating the respective locks 24.

Summarizing the advantages and functions of operation ofmy improved equalizing brake mechanism, it will be obvious that in making a turn at the end of the field either to the right or to the left, the brake pedal on that side or the turn may be depressed to expedite the turning without interfering with the braking mechanism on the other side. However, when it is desired to simultaneously apply equal pressure on both braking mechanisms of both rear traction wheels, the operator may depress the root pad or treadle 3| oi the equalizer bar or member 28 and the pressure will be equally applied to both braking mechanisms to stop the tractor.

In this connection it will also be observed that ii one braking mechanism is slightly worn more than the other so that one lever will be required to be depressed further than the other lever to attain the same simultaneous braking action on both wheels, the curved foot pad 2i will rock on the foot of the operator to secure an equalized pressure on both braking mechanisms.

In this connection it will be noted that equalized braking of both wheels is accomplished by is provided with a, bifurcated portreadle or foot l the simple expedient or a skills member operatively connected between the free ends of the conventional individual brake levers without interiering with their normal operation or applying braking action individually to the right or left traction wheel in the event such action is required on the part of the operator for steering purposes.

While in the above specification I have described one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice, it will of course be understood that the same is capable oi modification and that modification may be made without departing from the spirit and scope or the invention as expressed in the following claims.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with separate operable brake levers for the braking .oi the separate traction wheels of a motor vehicle, a foot depressible member pivotally connected on a tilted pivot at one end to one or said levers, and slidably connected at the other end theme! to the other 0! said levers, and a curved toot pad located in the center 0! said member for engagement of the foot of the operator whereby upon the actuation of said foot pad by the operator, equalized pressure may be simultaneously applied to said levers.

2. Control means for a pair of brakes providing [or the independent and simultaneous operation thereof, comprising a pair of levers,a single member pivoted at one end to one oi said levers and slid-ably connected at the other end to the other of said levers, and a curved loot pad located in the approximate center oi said member whereby said member may be depressed to simultaneously apply equal braking pressure on both or said braking mechanisms.

3. Control means for a pair or braking mechanisms providing for the independent and simultaneous operation thereoi comprising separate i'oot operating levers for each or said braking mechanisms, a foot operated equalizing member operatively connected to said levers whereby said foot levers may be simultaneously actuated by depressing said equalizing member, and a curved foot pad located in the center oi said member, whereby said member may rock on the operator's foot when said member is depressed.

MILFORD D. STEWART.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the tile oi this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

